A vet is calling for pet owners to help save the lives of animals by volunteering their four-legged friends for blood donations.

Pennard Vets is teaming up with Pet Blood Bank UK charity to hold its first blood donation session.

Veterinary nurse Katie Dyer, who works at the site in College Road, Maidstone, said: “Pets can need blood for all sorts of medical reasons and emergency situations and rely on donations from other pets, just like humans are reliant on blood donors.

“It’s not something people generally consider, but it’s crucial that the Pet Blood Bank UK has regular dog donors to meet demand.

“We hope that people from our local community will bring their dogs to donate.”

The practice is hoping to reach 50 to 60 volunteers so it can host regular donation sessions.

These visits would be managed by the volunteers made up of both the medical staff and the charity.

Pets need to be fit and healthy and aged between one and eight years old. They must weigh more than 25kg and have a good temperament.

They must never have travelled outside of the UK and Ireland and need to be vaccinated or have an annual titer test after the first-year booster. They also can’t be on any medication.

Dogs can donate up to six times a year and the pet blood bank charity plans to visit Pennard Vets every two to three months.

Katie added: “Any donors would be welcomed into our practice and have a pre-screen check, which takes 15 minutes.

“This is a health check consultation with a vet from the Pet Blood Bank, who will examine the dog and check they are healthy and able to donate on the day.

“On the first donation, and then annually, we will also take a blood sample for routine hematology and biochemistry purposes.

“Again, the donation takes about 15 minutes, taking approximately 450ml from the jugular vein.

“Post-donation the dog donor is given treats, water, and a goody bag, and then they have their photo taken.

“After that, they will wait with their owner for a short while, before having a final check and heading home. The whole process will take about 40 minutes in total.”

“We wanted to work with the Pet Blood Bank UK to give something back to this wonderful charity that makes sure all vets have a healthy supply of blood products ready for when they need them.”